One in the Tarot Cards - Singular Manifest Creative Energy

The number One is the numerical expression of singular manifest energy. All numbers are multiples of the number One — and thus contain this energy in multiples. The role played by the number One in the Tarot Cards is very important. Today, let us explore the various meanings of the number One, and how those meanings add value to the meanings of the Tarot Cards where it appears.

After the endless possibilities that are expressed in Zero, it is obvious that the energies will move towards solidifying the manifestation into the realms of possibility. The number One is where this energy finds it’s first footing, and it’s first expression.

The Many Meanings of One

As the manifest and expressed energy of the Universe, One is naturally associated with beginnings. It is the starting point of all manifestation — the possibilities are now starting to be manifested in the real world. One expresses this energy all at once, and therefore is considered to be the unity of all expressed manifestation. Since this energy is all about going forth and creating & manifesting, it is considered to be masculine in nature. Typically, therefore, many numerological systems associate One with the Sun. It is due to these reasons, that the number One is also linked with the Ego.

In the Kabbalah, One is the Position, the Point that has “neither parts nor magnitude, but only position“. In the formless void of the Ether, where all possibilities exist without limits, this position serves as the starting point for the manifestation of all expressed reality in the world. It is here that all the opposing forces of the Universe cancel each other out, and define the very point of existence itself.

In Numerology, the number One is the manifestation of personal resources of the querent. A strong presence of this number will indicate that the querent has all that he/she needs to manifest their dreams into reality. Of course, he/she will need other energies to take the next step, but having resources is also important, isn’t it?

Now, let us see how these meanings manifest within the images of the Tarot Cards.

The Number One in the Tarot Cards

There are several Tarot Cards where you will see the presence of the number One. Here we will consider not just the Tarot Cards that are numbered One, but also the Tarot Cards whose numbers add up to One, using the simple Numerological process of reducing the numbers to a single digit via addition.

For example, the number 19 is added up as 1 + 9 = 10, which further reduces to 1 + 0 = 1.

The Number One in the Major Arcana

First up, let’s take a look at the way the number One shows up in the Major Arcana cards.

1: The Magician
10 - The Wheel of Fortune
19 - The Sun (Rider-Waite-Smith)

As you can see, the number One shows up first and foremost on The Magician card. Right here, you can see how the number simply adds to the card’s inherent energy of having the ability to create and manifest one’s dreams & ideas into reality. And of course, this is very masculine too! Add to the fact that the Magician can be quite egotistical at times, I feel that this card is the perfect expression of the energy of the number One in the Tarot Cards.

In the Wheel of Fortune card, you can see how One combines with the energies of Zero, and adds the meaning of ‘endless’ to the energy of One. Here, you can see how manifestation is a process that keeps going on, endlessly. The Wheel of Fortune shows us how the cycles of creation and destruction keep feeding off of one another, and this self-perpetuating cycle keeps going on all the time. The idea that creation and destruction are actually two facets of the same energy, expressed differently can be seen as a function of the meaning of Unity that is attached to the number One.

In The Sun card, the numbers 1 and 9 add up to the number 10, which is then reduced to the number One. Here we witness the adventurousness of the energies of the number! First off, we see that the main character on the card is a child, the very symbolic expression of the energy of beginnings. And that child is energetically and enthusiastically riding forth, ready to take on the world itself! Again, a very masculine expression of energy, coupled with the energy of creation and manifestation. Of course, one cannot ignore the very obvious connection to the energy of the Sun!

Now that we’ve looked at the Major Arcana cards, let’s explore how the energies of the number One show up in the Minor Arcana cards of the Tarot Card Deck.

The Number One in the Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana is made up of four Suits, each of which has an Ace and a 10.

Ace of Wands
Ace of Cups: Discovering Joy Within Self
Ace of Swords
Ace of Pentacles

First, let’s look at the Aces. All the Aces are a powerful expression of the manifestation of the Suit’s energy. Each Ace depicts a hand appearing from a cloud, carrying the Suit Symbol – an expression of the Universe bringing forth that elemental energy into reality. The journey of each Suit really begins with these cards with the energy of the suit manifested into reality as a whole. With the Ace of Wands, it is the expression of passion and desire that fuels the creative process. The Ace of Cups expresses the emotional, spiritual, and purely creative energy that will bring in the creative flow into play. With the Ace of Swords, it is the expression of the intellectual mind energy, the thoughts necessary to begin the creative process. And finally, the Ace of Pentacles actually begins the manifestation of this creative energy into reality, bringing together all these energies into reality.

10 of Wands
10 of Cups
10 of Swords
10 of Pentacles

Now, let’s look at the Tens. As we’ve seen before with the Wheel of Fortune card, the number Ten brings together the energies of manifestation, creation, and beginnings of the number One, and adds the energy of endless possibilities of the number Zero to the mix. Also, it is important to note that in the Journey of the Numbers within the Four Suits of the Tarot, the number Ten is an extension of that Suit’s energy that creates an opening for change, and a pathway to the next level of the journey. This is because, typically, the Journey of Numbers begins with Zero, and ends with Nine. So Ten is an extension of the energy that overlaps with the next phase of the Journey, the One (and the Zero with its endless possibilities).

With all that in mind, let’s look at these Tens with a fresh perspective. The Ten of Wands shows us how the multiples of passion and desire of the creative process have burdened the man in the card, who is ready to create, but is worn down by that energy. In the Ten of Cups though, the emotional and creative energy has blossomed into the creation of a picture-perfect world for the people in the card. The Ten of Swords meanwhile, shows us how the intellectual mind energy has now become utterly destructive, turning the thoughts into hurtful negative energies that mentally restrict the creative process. And in the Ten of Pentacles, all the creative energy has manifested into reality, and showered the family in the card with material abundance and material prosperity along with creativity and contentment.

The Number One in the Tarot Cards: Putting it Together

Let’s summarize how the number One has added so much value to the Tarot Cards that it shows up on!

The Magician: Creation, Manifestation, Masculine, Ego
Wheel of Fortune: Endless Expression of Manifestation, Unity (of Creation & Destruction)
The Sun: Beginnings, Masculine, Creation, the Sun
Ace of Wands: Beginning of Passion & Desire, Creative
Ace of Cups: Beginning of Emotional & Spiritual Energy, Creative
Ace of Swords: Beginning of Thoughts & Intellectual Energy, Creative
Ace of Pentacles: Beginning of Manifestation into Reality, Creation
10 of Wands: Multiples of Passion & Desire
10 of Cups: Multiple Creative & Spiritual Energies
10 of Swords: Multiples of Thoughts & Intellectual Energy
10 of Pentacles: Multiples of Manifestation into Reality

Thus we can see how the meanings of the number One adds value to the Tarot Cards that it appears on! Each card finds it’s meanings enhanced by the number, and the number One plays really well with the distinct stories that each of these cards want to tell.

Your Turn…

So, what did you think? What are your views on the number One in the Tarot Cards? Have I missed anything? Do you want to add something to what I’ve said? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! ?After all, we are only beginning our journey with the numbers in real earnest, and any and all information + feedback will only help fuel the journey further!